About the Author
I’ve been working as a Middle School as a Spanish, ELD and P.E. teachers for 11 years. When I started teaching at Hall MS in Larkspur CA, I was given just one set of books and quickly decided to digitally create and document the content of my classes instead of relying on a paper book. I soon realized that not having a textbook gave me a lot of flexibility and freedom to be creative.
My pedagogy as a Spanish teacher drastically changed few years ago after a casual conversation with one of my daughters. As a freshman she was placed in an honors Spanish class in high school.
After the first week of school I asked her who else was in her class. I knew that most kids would be juniors or seniors, and I was surprised when she said that several of her freshman friends were in her class, including her friend “Lilly”. Lilly? I said, I didn't know Lilly spoke Spanish. Mom, she said, she doesn't. Her answer forever changed the way I look at Spanish teaching. I soon realized that most of the kids never actually learn to “speak” the language.
How is it possible that with all the incredible tools we have to make second language learning meaningful, practical and fun, we are still teaching
our kids to memorize vocabulary, grammatical rules or written paragraphs?
My pedagogy as a Spanish teacher drastically changed few years ago after a casual conversation with one of my daughters. As a freshman she was placed in an honors Spanish class in high school.
After the first week of school I asked her who else was in her class. I knew that most kids would be juniors or seniors, and I was surprised when she said that several of her freshman friends were in her class, including her friend “Lilly”. Lilly? I said, I didn't know Lilly spoke Spanish. Mom, she said, she doesn't. Her answer forever changed the way I look at Spanish teaching. I soon realized that most of the kids never actually learn to “speak” the language.
How is it possible that with all the incredible tools we have to make second language learning meaningful, practical and fun, we are still teaching
our kids to memorize vocabulary, grammatical rules or written paragraphs?
The realization that most students apparently “succeed” in Spanish without actually having any communication skills helped me to begin my search for change and innovation.
I knew I wanted my students to be more fluent and feel more comfortable speaking a second language. The search for a better pedagogy and the desire to become an innovator on my field eventually lead me to Touro. I feel incredibly lucky to have found a program that is practical, challenging, inspiring and hands-on.
I am glad I didn’t click the “trash” button and opened an email that one of our administrators sent us with a brochure about an “Innovative Learning” masters degree at Touro university. That little “click” changed my life.
I knew I wanted my students to be more fluent and feel more comfortable speaking a second language. The search for a better pedagogy and the desire to become an innovator on my field eventually lead me to Touro. I feel incredibly lucky to have found a program that is practical, challenging, inspiring and hands-on.
I am glad I didn’t click the “trash” button and opened an email that one of our administrators sent us with a brochure about an “Innovative Learning” masters degree at Touro university. That little “click” changed my life.
Reflections on my Journey
Before I started this program I’d never heard about TPACK. At the beginning I was confused, and at some point I felt angry. Why do we need to learn about such a confusing framework? Does it really make sense to talk about abstract concepts in a program that is supposed to be all practical and “hands-on”?
Now, at the end of my journey, I’m the first one to answer “yes” to my second question. I didn’t know at that time the importance of having a strong theoretical foundation before embarking on the practical part of our journey. I now think about TPACK as the guide that will keep me honest with my teaching.
The idea of looking for a “sweet spot” that incorporates technology, pedagogy and content is brilliant. This model has also helped me to understand the role of technology in my classroom.
I no longer think about using technology as an isolated tool but as an integral component of a lesson that will enhance the learning experience of my students.
The TPACK framework reminds us that having the pedagogical knowledge is only a part of the puzzle. Mastering the content of what we teach is not enough. Being comfortable with technology and using it in our classrooms is not the ultimate goal. The mindful and successful interaction of these three areas within the context of our classroom is the heart of TPACK and the goal that all of us teachers should always have in mind.
Now, at the end of my journey, I’m the first one to answer “yes” to my second question. I didn’t know at that time the importance of having a strong theoretical foundation before embarking on the practical part of our journey. I now think about TPACK as the guide that will keep me honest with my teaching.
The idea of looking for a “sweet spot” that incorporates technology, pedagogy and content is brilliant. This model has also helped me to understand the role of technology in my classroom.
I no longer think about using technology as an isolated tool but as an integral component of a lesson that will enhance the learning experience of my students.
The TPACK framework reminds us that having the pedagogical knowledge is only a part of the puzzle. Mastering the content of what we teach is not enough. Being comfortable with technology and using it in our classrooms is not the ultimate goal. The mindful and successful interaction of these three areas within the context of our classroom is the heart of TPACK and the goal that all of us teachers should always have in mind.
Lasting Learning from the Innovative Learning program
What am I taking from my Innovative Learning journey besides the endless late nights and countless hours of work?
I can easily say that I’m taking a whole new perspective on teaching and learning that has changed me as a teacher and as a student as well. The way the program was designed allowed me to experience first hand what it feels to be a student in the 21st century. I had to overcome the initial frustration of a new type of instruction (flipped) and to meet my classmates in a virtual classroom.
All my initial fears turned-out to be just that, and at the end, I felt grateful for not having done a “cookie-cutter” traditional master’s program that is more theoretical than practical. It is precisely the practicality of the program that I value the most.
Throughout the whole program I learned by doing and by communicating and collaborating with the rest of my cohort. When I was reading and blogging I was required to think critically. While I was working on videos, infographics and charts I was pushed to be creative and to get out of my comfort zone. All those skills that I acquired and practiced are the same skills that we’re trying to convey to our students. They are precisely the skills needed by every 21st century learner. That is priceless, and I’m taking it with me on my journey moving forward.
I can easily say that I’m taking a whole new perspective on teaching and learning that has changed me as a teacher and as a student as well. The way the program was designed allowed me to experience first hand what it feels to be a student in the 21st century. I had to overcome the initial frustration of a new type of instruction (flipped) and to meet my classmates in a virtual classroom.
All my initial fears turned-out to be just that, and at the end, I felt grateful for not having done a “cookie-cutter” traditional master’s program that is more theoretical than practical. It is precisely the practicality of the program that I value the most.
Throughout the whole program I learned by doing and by communicating and collaborating with the rest of my cohort. When I was reading and blogging I was required to think critically. While I was working on videos, infographics and charts I was pushed to be creative and to get out of my comfort zone. All those skills that I acquired and practiced are the same skills that we’re trying to convey to our students. They are precisely the skills needed by every 21st century learner. That is priceless, and I’m taking it with me on my journey moving forward.
Visit my Language Blog
|
Visit my Website
|